When Pluto Met Mars | Riarkle

Girl Meets Queer

It is a Thursday afternoon, and as usual, I'm all sweaty and exhausted from volleyball.

As I gather my sports clothes into my sports bag in the girl's locker room, I am approached by Lucy.

"Hey, Riley!" She says enthusiastically.
Her curly brown hair is bouncy and her caramel skin is glowing. She is so beautiful.

"Hey, Lucy!" I greet her back, as I swing my backpack over my shoulders.

"So I was wondering if you wanted to hang out today? I met a really cool person who is also good friends with you? I just wanted to try out a new frozen yogurt place down the street!" Lucy stuffs her large curls into a high ponytail.

"Hmm," I think about my response. I mean, I'll be skipping the usual hangout at my mom's pastry shop. But what will I really be missing? More awkwardness with Lucas and Maya? I think I need to push myself to at least try to make some other friends.

"Sure!" I say. "Whose the other friend?" I ask.

"Oh! Her name is Smackle!" Lucy seems to be especially happy when mentioning her. "She's awesome!"

I can't say that I'm not surprised to hear that Lucy's new friend is Smackle. I mean, Lucy and Smackle are complete opposites. Lucy is an athlete who is also very girly and bubbly, while Smackle is very academically focused and not really into sports.

Anyway, I am ready to leave Abigail Adams HS for the day and actually pretty excited to hang out with some other friends.

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"Okay, so there I was! Making the choice between super red lipstick and a really nude shade of pink! Ahh, I'm just obsessed with makeup!" Lucy stuffs some strawberry fro-yo into her mouth. "Eyeliner wings are an art! An art, I tell you!"
The new Yogurtland that
opened up across from school is actually pretty good. Mmm, chocolate.

"That's so funny! I always try to memorize all the names of all the shades of colors, and try to distinguish between all of them but it's quite hard." Smackle laughs. Lucy and Smackle just laugh hysterically. I would laugh too, but I just don't understand that type of humor I guess.
"Wait-you put a lot of almonds in your fro yo too!? And an even amount of gummy bears and sour gummy worms?" Smackle exclaimed, as Lucy added more of those treats to her frozen yogurt cup.
"Yes! It's sooo good!" Lucy smiles really big. As I look between her and Smackle I think to myself , Huh, opposites really do attract!
My inner monologue doesn't go very far because pretty soon my pocket is vibrating with a bunch of texts.
"Is something wrong?" Lucy asks.
I look at the screen.
Maya: hey, wya? I haven't seen you all day!
"Yeah! Just need to reply to this text very quickly!" I assure them.
Me: hey um we can talk later!! I went 2 yogurt land w/ Smackle and Lucy
Maya: oh, ok cool. Well yah I'll see u later I guess!

I put my phone away in an attempt to socialize and not be such a bad teen. Ha.

"What's wrong, Riles? Anything bothering you?" Lucy asks, sounding genuinely curious.

"Nothing at all! It's really fine-"

"Boy stuff!" Smackle butts in, basically exposing me.

"HA! Is that true? Boys?" Lucy smirks.

"Yeah, well-" I am about to defend myself but am interrupted yet again.